ESL Podcast 598 – Suggesting a Nightcap

Brittany: [slurring her speech] I had a really nice time.

Tri: I’m glad to hear it. It was nice of Marie to set us up.

Brittany: Yeah, she told me that you would be my soul mate, and she was right! You’re dreamy...

Tri: Uh...well, thanks. It was really nice meeting you, but I’d better be going.

Brittany: What? Why are you leaving so soon? Don’t you want to come in for a nightcap? Let’s have a drink, or two, or three. I’ll make it worth your while...

Tri: I think we’ve both had enough to drink tonight, don’t you? I’ll just take a rain check.

Brittany: Don’t go yet. The night is young. Don’t you want to see my apartment?

Tri: Sure I do, but let’s make it another time. I really do have to go.

Brittany: Spoilsport!
...
Brittany seemed nice when I first met her, but that impression didn’t last long. It only took 15 minutes for me to realize that she and I had nothing in common, and then, I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. You might think I’m crazy because she really was drop- dead gorgeous, but I had no intention of taking advantage of a drunk woman!


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
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slur [slɝ] 含糊地發(音)
set us up 撮合
soul mate 知己
dreamy 漂亮的；美妙的；極好的
nightcap 睡前飲料；（常指）夜酒
I’ll make it worth your while 我不會讓你白費力氣的[我會為這個給你酬勞]
take a rain check（婉辭邀請）下次吧，以後再說
Spoilsport 掃興的人
impression 印象
last long 長久
last .verb 持續；繼續；延續
drop-dead gorgeous 極其吸引人的;動人的
gorgeous 非常漂亮的；美麗動人的；令人愉快的
intention 打算；計劃；意圖；目的
taking advantage of 利用;占便宜

ESL Podcast 597 – Describing Touch and Textures

Tommy: It’s just our luck that there’s a major power failure while we’re shopping in this outdoor bazaar.

Louisa: How are we going to find our way back to the hotel?

Tommy: Follow me and stay close. I’ll lead the way.

Louisa: This road is so rough. I keep tripping over the stones. Ah!

Tommy: What happened?

Louisa: I just fell into something wet and sticky. Gross! I don’t know what it is. It has a weird texture.

Tommy: Don’t think about it. If you’re not hurt, then try to get up and keep moving. Give me your hand. Ugh, it’s all slimy!

Louisa: Yeah, and my dress is all greasy, too. You know what? I think I did hurt myself. My foot feels all tingly, like it’s asleep.

Tommy: Try to walk the best you can and let’s try to make it back to the hotel. The road is smooth, not too bumpy, on this side. Let me help you.

Louisa: Thanks. I think I’ll be okay. Well, I guess if we don’t get to see very much more of the city, we’ll at least know what it feels like.
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power failure 電源故障,電源中斷,斷電
bazaar /bə'zɑr/ （某些東方國家的）集市
rough /rʌf/ 粗糙的；不平滑的；高低不平的
tripping over 絆倒
trip 絆；絆倒
sticky 黏（性）的
Gross 令人不快的；令人惡心的；使人厭惡的
texture 質地；手感
slimy /'slaɪmɪ/ 似泥漿的；粘有黏液的
greasy/'grizɪ/ 多油的；油污的；沾油脂的
tingly 有刺痛感的;引起刺痛的
bumpy 不平的；多凸塊的

ESL Podcast 596 – Applying for Unemployment Benefits

Agency Employee: Hello, state unemployment agency.

George: Hello, I’d like to apply for unemployment benefits.

Agency Employee: Okay, give me your address and I’ll send you an application.

George: How much can I get?

Agency Employee: That depends. Your benefits are calculated based on your quarterly earnings. You were laid off from your job?

George: Yes, I was. I qualify, don’t I?

Agency Employee: People who work part-time jobs or are self-employed aren’t eligible. If you worked in a full-time position, you should qualify. Fill out the application and we’ll let you know.

George: What else does the application ask for?

Agency Employee: You have to affirm that you’re able to work and that you’re actively seeking employment.

George: I’m definitely doing that. I’ve been meaning to ask you, are you hiring?

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unemployment 無業；沒有工作
quarterly 季度的；每季的
lay off 解雇
qualify 使合格；使具備資格
eligible 1.有資格的;合格的;具備條件的 2.(指認為可做夫妻的男女)合意的，合適的，中意的
ask for 要,要求
affirm 肯定屬實；申明；斷言
to be meaning to do someting => intending or planning on doing something

ESL Podcast 595 – Suffering from Allergies

Victor: Oh, doctor, you’ve got to help me!

Doctor: Try to relax. What seems to be the problem?

Victor: I’m sneezing all the time, and my eyes are itchy and watery.

Doctor: Tilt your head back so I can take a look at your nasal passages. You’re very congested.

Victor: My sinuses are killing me! I have headaches all the time and nothing I do seems to help.

Doctor: What is this on your skin?

Victor: I don’t know. I’ve had red spots all over my body.

Doctor: They look like hives to me. Are you experiencing any shortness of breath?

Victor: Well, my chest feels constricted and it’s hard to breathe.

Doctor: I think you may be experiencing a severe allergy attack. I’m going to refer you to an allergist. What were you doing right before you started experiencing these symptoms?

Victor: I started my first job.

Doctor: That could be your problem.

Victor: I knew it! I’m allergic to work!

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allergy /'ælɚdʒɪ/ 【醫】過敏症 ; 【口】厭惡,反感
sneeze 打噴嚏
watery 水的；似水的；含水的；水分很多的
tilt /tɪlt/ （使）傾斜，傾側
nasal /'nezḷ/ 鼻的；與鼻子相關的
congested 充血的；黏液阻塞的
sinus 靜脈竇
hives【醫】蕁麻疹
shortness of breath 呼吸短促/氣喘
chest 胸部；胸膛
constricted 狹隘的;受限制的
breathe /brið/ 呼吸
severe /sə'vɪr/ 極為惡劣的；十分嚴重的
allergist 過敏症專科醫師
allergic（對…）變態反應的，變應的，過敏的